Governor Hassan Joho to unveil anti-radicalisation roadmap for Mombasa youth

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho. [PHOTO: STANDARD/FILE]

By GEOFREY MOSOKU

NAIROBI, KENYA: Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho says his government will soon announce roadmap on how to combat radicalization of youths in the county.

Joho says his government will work with the national government to address the issue and end skirmishes which have been witnessed between the youths and security officers in the port city.

“I will soon issue a comprehensive statement and how to address the issue of radicalization of youth for once and all,” Governor Joho told The Standard upon his arrival from Japan on Tuesday evening.

He announced that he will be meeting national and religious leaders to discuss the solution to address the challenges of insecurity in the region that is the port entry to east and central Africa.

“We are determined to address all issues and provide a last solution that will restore peace in Mombasa and provide an enabling environment to investors and tourists,” he added.

Joho however did not state when he will convene the meeting saying he had just arrived and wanted to consult other leaders.

Last weekend, Leader of Majority Aden Duale said he was waiting for Joho’s arrival from Japan to meet him and other Muslim leaders to address the threat of radicalization and terrorism.

“We will lead a high powered delegation of Muslim leaders to visit Masjid Musa and conduct our prayers there,” Duale said.

Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the state will not accept places of worship, be it mosques, churches or temples to be converted into recruitment centres for radicalization after the state came under heavy criticism for storming the mosque over one week ago to flash out hundreds of youths who were conducting a Jihad seminar.

Muslim leaders have particularly been incensed that police officers entered the mosque with their shoes on and c demanded an apology.

Several youths who include minors, were arrested during the raid but the minors were later released. And on Tuesday, 33 suspects were released while 71 other are still held in custody at Shimo La Tewa maximum security prison.